In the heart of Harlingen, a talented young actress is making waves in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences and leaving a lasting impression. With a spark in her eyes and a passion that knows no bounds, she’s turning heads in high places and redefining the boundaries of stardom. From the dusty streets of her hometown to the bright lights of Hollywood, this Harlingen native is proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. In this exclusive feature, we’ll take a closer look at the remarkable rise of this talented actress, and explore what sets her apart from the rest. With her star on the rise, it’s only a matter of time before she becomes a household name.
Rising Star in Harlingen
Meet Mariana: A 12-year-old Actress with a Big Impact
Mariana Donnelly, 12, a sixth grader at Memorial Middle School, has just won Best Performance for a short film at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival, more commonly known as the LA Web Fest. The film “Black and White Canvas” by director Luis Antonio Rodriguez tells the story about a biracial girl struggling with systemic racism.
Mariana was able to use her own experiences to build a convincing character. “I have people calling me names and making racist jokes when it’s not really funny,” said Mariana, who is of African American, Irish and Liberian heritage.
In the 1960s and 70s concerned citizens spoke with great energy and conviction about racism in the United States. There was the Civil Rights Movement and landmark legislation, and young people in high school and college classrooms explored these matters and were concerned about real change. And yet almost 50 years later Mariana still hears racial slurs.
“That’s so Mariana” – The Stage Name that’s Making Waves
Mariana’s father, Trevor, himself an accomplished musician and entertainer, added, “She also does music. She plays violin in orchestra. She also sings and raps, and she also has her own makeup products.” That’s right. Mariana has her own cosmetic line of perfume and mascara and lip gloss and other products.
So Mariana at 12 years old is a singer and a dancer and a musician and an award-winning actress, and as talented and experienced as she is, her success in Los Angeles earlier this month took her by surprise.
Breaking Barriers with “Black and White Canvas”: A Short Film with a Powerful Message
Mariana’s Personal Experience with Racism and How it Inspired Her Performance
Mariana was thinking about the experiences that she went through in real life and putting it in the film and feeling what she usually feels when people tell her a racial slur, she said.
In the film, Mariana’s character “McKella” deals with her struggles through writing and drawing and painting. “I was thinking about the experiences that I went through in real life and putting it in the film and feeling what I usually feel when people tell me (a racial slur),” she said.
“I do dance, volleyball, and I like to try other sports but volleyball is my main one,” Mariana said. Her parents Trevor and Vanessa Donnelly are beaming with pride.
Kimberly Banda, her publicist and dance instructor is very proud. “Mariana is breaking barriers and inspiring everyone around her, especially SBS Dance Studio,” said Banda, who owns Step By Step Dance Studio in San Benito.
A Multi-Talented Young Artist
From Volleyball to Violin: Mariana’s Many Talents
Mariana, a sixth grader at Memorial Middle School, is a multi-talented young artist who has been making waves in the entertainment industry. Apart from her award-winning performance at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival, Mariana is also an accomplished volleyball player, violinist, singer, rapper, and entrepreneur.
She plays violin in her school’s orchestra and has her own cosmetic line of perfume, mascara, lip gloss, and other products. Mariana’s parents, Trevor and Vanessa Donnelly, are proud of their daughter’s multifaceted talents and are thrilled to see her pursue her passion.
Her Own Cosmetic Line and Music Ventures
Mariana’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in her own cosmetic line, which offers a range of beauty products that cater to young girls. Her music ventures are also gaining momentum, with her singing and rapping skills earning her a spot in the music industry.
“I do dance, volleyball, and I like to try other sports but volleyball is my main one,” Mariana said. “She also does music,” added her father Trevor. “She plays violin in orchestra, she also sings and raps, and she also has her own makeup products.”
Success and Recognition
Winning Best Performance at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival
Mariana’s award-winning performance at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival, also known as the LA Web Fest, came as a surprise to her. She won the Best Performance award for her role in the short film “Black and White Canvas,” directed by Luis Antonio Rodriguez.
The film tells the story of a biracial girl struggling with systemic racism, and Mariana brought her own experiences to the role. “I have people calling me names and making racist jokes when it’s not really funny,” she said. “I was thinking about the experiences that I went through in real life and putting it in the film and feeling what I usually feel when people tell me (a racial slur),” she added.
The Surprising Reaction to Her Award-Winning Performance
“I was thinking, ‘Oh, a short film,'” Mariana said. “Like, ‘I’m probably not going to get anything out of it.’ And then the announcement. Her Facebook page, “That’s so Mariana” says it all. “Wow!! I’m still at a loss for words. Woke up this morning feeling beyond grateful. Last night was truly magical.”
Her Parents’ and Publicist’s Reaction to Her Success
Her parents Trevor and Vanessa Donnelly are beaming with pride, saying they are still blown away by her success. “I’m still soaking it in. I think it’s surreal because she’s still just a carefree 12-year-old, and she’s going on with her life and she just happens to be hitting these milestones,” Trevor said.
Kimberly Banda, Mariana’s publicist and dance instructor, is also proud of her protégée. “Mariana is breaking barriers and inspiring everyone around her, especially SBS Dance Studio,” she said. “She is talented, hardworking, a wonderful role model, a music icon, and an award-winning actress.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the young actress from Harlingen is making waves in the entertainment industry, turning heads with her impressive talent and dedication. The article highlights her humble beginnings, her rise to fame, and her commitment to her craft. It also touches on the challenges she has faced and overcome, showcasing her resilience and determination.
The significance of this story lies in its ability to inspire and motivate young people, particularly those from underserved communities, to pursue their passions and never give up on their dreams. It serves as a reminder that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible, regardless of where you come from or what obstacles you may face. The implications of this story are far-reaching, as it has the potential to spark a movement of young people from all over the country, and even the world, to pursue their dreams and make a name for themselves in the entertainment industry.
As we look to the future, it will be exciting to see what this talented young actress has in store for us. Will she continue to make us laugh and cry with her impressive performances? Will she use her platform to bring attention to important social issues? Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain – this young actress from Harlingen is a force to be reckoned with, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.